Jenson Button enjoyed a rather uneventful afternoon for once, and one which rewarded the McLaren driver with a ninth place finish and a few championship points.

As predicted by the former world champion himself, Button struggled early on to maintain a position just outside the top ten before getting pushed down to as low as 14th. He then steadily progressed up the ranks, with his team mate Fernando Alonso in tow, while taking full advantage of the late stage chaos to conclude his afternoon's racing just inside the points.

"It was a long afternoon," said Jenson. "I was a sitting duck in the first couple of laps, as I couldn't fight off the people behind."

"On a one stop strategy the tyres worked just as well on the first lap as they did on the last lap. It wasn't bad. I was racing Fernando for the whole race, which was all I could really do, as all the other cars were quicker. I sort of enjoyed it I guess, crossing the line in P9."

Button once again made due with the limited capabilities of his Honda power unit, well aware that any substantial improvement will have to wait until 2016.

"The power was cutting off fairly early on the straights so it was fairly easy for others to overtake. That was tricky: they were trying to pass me into Turn 13, which is a pretty scary place, especially when you don’t have DRS and can’t gauge the closing speed of the cars behind."

"We did everything right, we stayed out there, did the best we could and we got some points!"

Hamilton close to title after Russian GP win

AS IT HAPPENED: Russian Grand Prix

Click here for the F1 drivers' girlfriends gallery

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Through one lens: Twelve photographs from the 2025 F1 season

  Lewis Hamilton: Australian GP – Albert Park Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix weekend…

13 hours ago

Two Formula 1 racers born on Christmas day

One driver has a hugely famous name, the other is a special Grand Prix winner,…

15 hours ago

Red with purpose – It’s time for Ferrari to bring it home

As the Ferrari factory in Maranello glows in festive crimson, a sense of anticipation hums…

1 day ago

Norris reveals the quirky private moment his F1 title finally sunk in

Lando Norris had just done the hardest thing in motorsport – winning the Formula 1…

2 days ago

Howden Ganley, McLaren's third-ever employee

A veteran of 41 Grands Prix starts, Howden Ganley - seen here above hitting a…

2 days ago

Leclerc’s ‘naughty’ Christmas gift leaves Russell ‘lost for words’

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc may not have ended the season with a silver trophy in hand,…

2 days ago